It is festival season and that means that in the next month there is so many great comedy festivals to look forward to! This month we are looking at some of the great shows that you can see at the Edinburgh Fringe. So take note because we are going to give you all the information you need for just a handful of some of the great shows happening this year!
Afronauts
Location: Udderbelly at Underbelly, George Square (Venue 300)
Dates: Aug 6th-11th, 13th-16th, 18th-23rd, 25th-31st
Time: 13:55
Price: £17.50 Concessions £16.50
Ticket Link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/afronauts
Hello! Tell us all about your show!
AFRONAUTS is a clash of circus, theatre, dance and music, to tell the story about Afronauts back in 1964, when Zambia announced that it would be part of the space race among the world’s superpowers.
The Afronauts initiative was seen as a ridiculous proposal by Western media, but it has been one of the most inspiring stories of the country, reminding us that everyone deserves to dream and that we have every right to be on the world’s stage as any other country.
We started the show 8 years ago and are now excited to bring it to an international audience. It will also be the first show brought by a Zambian company to Edinburgh Fringe!
What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at the fringe?
It’s our first time coming to Edinburgh Fringe. We have been looking online and are already so excited about it. We will keep our minds open, and soak ourselves in the festival’s energy.
Have you done the fringe before? What are the key pieces of advice you have been given or would give to new groups or people performing at the fringe.
We have never done Fringe before, but we have been touring other continents. My key advice is to plan ahead. We have 8 artists travelling together, and it requires a lot of planning for visas, fundraising activities, flights, accommodations to make the trip possible. This admin work is an essential part to make the creative journey possible, and planning ahead to give yourself some breathing space is extremely important for touring.
If this is your first time – what are you looking forward to?
To see as much art as possible, be it big indoor productions, or exciting street performances. It’s our first time here, and it took us so long to be here, so we want to make the best use out of it!
Also, I am looking forward to seeing AFRONAUTS on the Fringe stage myself. I have confidence that it will be absolutely amazing: it’s the decade-long work of a group of young Zambian artists, and we have crafted it again and again, to make sure the world can hear this story authentically from the Zambian people. I think it’s going to be AMAZING.
Talk us through your daily routine for a day at the Fringe:
Bringing the best AFRONAUTS to the audience will be the focus! Our show is in the middle of the day, we will warm-up beforehand, and put on a great show for everyone. Will also love to stay after the show, and listen to audience’s feedback as well as sharing more about the journey and the story. After the show, we are going to explore what other artists are bringing to the festival.
Ok, where is your favourite place to eat at the Fringe?
I am really looking forward to finding cool things to do, and I would like to have some nice suggestions actually!
Best thing about performing at the fringe?
It’s the best place in the world, because it welcomes people and artists from all different places and gives the stage to all the great stories.
That’s why we want to come here. We want to have an international audience hear one of the best Zambian legends from Zambian people. The story explores freedom in the post-colonial world which remains an important topic today, and we are grateful for a festival that stages this great story, and so many other stories that the world needs to hear, from different communities.
Do you bring anything special from home to make it feel more special whilst you are away?
The spirit of the AFRONAUTS story – that you are always free to dream and deserve the world’s stage like anyone else! It’s the first time we are in Edinburgh, and we are here to make headlines, and bring a great story from Zambia – the spirit of the story will keep inspiring us, from Lusaka to Edinburgh.
What are your best hacks to save money whilst at the Fringe?
Hmm eat home I guess, and get a packed lunch!
If people want to find out more about you where can they follow you on social media?
You can follow the show’s Instagram @circuszambia, or my personal account @gift.chansa. I will be sharing rehearsal sneak peek in Lusaka, and images as well as life once we are in Edinburgh!
And Finally in three words – Why should people come and see the show?
Authentic Zambian Legend!
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